Summary of 1st Austin Van Trip

By Robert Gonzalez

Dear Patriots,

On Thursday, April 28, 2011, the Clear Lake Tea Party sponsored a van trip to Austin.  The purpose of the trip was to lobby elected officials and encourage them to move bills that have been held up in different committees, i.e. Calendars & State Affairs.  The bills in question were related to immigration reform.

We also discussed the recent vote by the House on redistricting.  The redistricting plan didn’t go as we had expected.  The “Solomons Redistricting Map” was the only one debated, amended and voted on.  This will force incumbent Republican lawmakers to be paired against each other in the upcoming primary races.  There was a more favorable plan, “The Nixon Map”, but it never saw the light of day.

We enjoyed many face to face discussions with lawmakers and their staff and on almost all occasions, we were treated warmly.  During our conversation with the staff, many of them made a special mention that we needed to make frequent visits.  This is to counter the bombardment of emails and special interest groups (lobbyist) who run through their offices on a daily basis.

We lobbied to push immigration reform bills HB12, 183, 197, 608, 1275 & 3152 (all House bills).  While at the Capitol, two of these bills, HB608 & 1275 where voted out of committee.

In addition we lobbied for the passing of immigration bill SB9, (a Senate bill) backed by both the Governor, whose staff we spoke with, and conservative Senators.  This bill passed on the Senate floor the same day.

We believe this trip needs to be replicated by every Tea Party or conservative group in Texas.  A day off from work with fellow Patriots will make a difference for generations to come.  We implore you to take advantage of the remaining 27 days of the 82nd Legislative session.

We’re either going to make history, or we’re going to be history!

Our State and Country needs you!!!!!